During a Monday call with the Ohio Republican Party's governing body, Chairman Matt Borges revisited whether the state party wanted to endorse Retherford, but no one moved to endorse Retherford as the party's preferred candidate.

The state GOP initially deferred on endorsing a candidate in the Ohio House race because it was not clear if Retherford, of Hamilton, intended to run in the March 15 primary. He lost the Butler County GOP's endorsement to challenger Courtney Combs, who served as a lawmaker in that district from 2004 to 2012.

Before the county endorsement, both men agreed to drop out of the race if they weren't the preferred candidate. But Retherford opted to remain in the race, angering several Butler County Republicans.

Retherford also has come under fire for having a liquor cabinet he kept in his office for several months against House protocol. Combs took to Twitter to call out the incumbent, using hashtags like #LiquorandLies and #StatehouseNotFratHouse.

Retherford, who said he was unaware of Monday's call, declined to comment on the Ohio Republican Party's decision.

Combs and Retherford are vying for a seat that encompasses portions of Butler County, including Hamilton, Fairfield and Ross Township and part of Fairfield, Hanover, and St. Clair townships. The primary is March 15. The winner will face Democrat Johnny Hamilton in the heavily Republican district.

Retherford was one of three incumbent lawmakers not endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party. Rep. Paul Zeltwanger, of Mason, also was not endorsed.